On Saturday, 3 October, Valletta will once again be transformed into an open hub for arts and culture through Notte Bianca 2026, featuring more than 50 multidisciplinary projects spread across the capital.
Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage Malcolm Paul Agius Galea announced the final details of the programme and logistical preparations for this year’s edition, which will feature music, dance, theatre, visual arts and various other forms of artistic expression. More than 70% of this year’s projects are new and have been created specifically for Notte Bianca.
The programme will be spread across four main areas – the City Entrance, Castille Area, Hastings Area and St George’s Area – while the highlight of the evening will take place in St George’s Square with the concert “Minn Malta” by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, a celebration of Maltese music which will bring this year’s edition to a close.
Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea reiterated that, “Notte Bianca is a clear example of how we want to continue bringing culture closer to the people and creating more spaces where Maltese artists can express their talent and creativity. For one night, Valletta becomes an open stage for the arts, where thousands of families and visitors can experience different forms of cultural expression. As a Government, we will continue investing in events such as these, which not only celebrate our cultural identity but also provide tangible opportunities for artists and professionals working within the cultural sector,” said Minister Agius Galea.
Festivals Malta Chairman Aaron Zahra said, “We are looking forward to seeing Valletta once again come alive on Saturday, with a wonderful atmosphere for the whole family during Notte Bianca. This year, we have a programme featuring a variety of high-quality artistic projects, and I encourage everyone who has arts and culture at heart to join us and enjoy this event.”
Festivals Malta Chief Executive Officer Frans Agius stated that, “Notte Bianca requires months of preparation by the Festivals Malta team, as well as by our collaborators, PCOs and the disciplined forces, who work together to ensure the success of this event. I am confident that we will have another successful edition, and I encourage everyone who appreciates the performing arts and cultural events to attend Notte Bianca.”
Artistic Directors Rodney Camilleri Gauci, Yanis Azzopardi and Daniel Cauchi emphasised that, “We wanted Maltese artists to truly be at the heart of Notte Bianca. Every project within the programme includes the contribution of a Maltese artist and, even where collaborations with international talent are involved, there is always a Maltese presence. For us, it is important that Notte Bianca serves as a platform where our artists can create, experiment and present their work to the thousands of people who visit Valletta for this special night.”
Several public transport services will be extended for Notte Bianca. Gozo Fast Ferry will extend its services, with the final journey from Mġarr, Gozo to Valletta departing at 1:30am, and the final journey from Valletta to Mġarr, Gozo departing at 1:45am. Valletta Ferry Services, including the Three Cities and Sliema ferries, will continue operating until 2am.
On Saturday, 3 October, Valletta will not be accessible to vehicles after 4:30pm, while residents will be permitted access upon presentation of their identity card. Members of the public are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and, wherever possible, make use of public transport.
The full programme and interactive map for Notte Bianca are available on the Festivals Malta website.
Notte Bianca is organised by Festivals Malta, within the Ministry for Arts, Culture and National Heritage, in collaboration with various national entities and authorities.
